Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This topic is open for discussion of The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Synopsis:
In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

I don't know which cover I like more.

I love this series! I have already read this one, but I would follow along with the discussion. I can't wait for the 3rd book.

I literally just finished The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Loved it! Looking forward to the sequel.

Kristin wrote: "count me in. I'm starting the first one this weekend so I can read this one soon after. I hate having to wait for the next book in series to come out."

Kristin, Did you finish the first one?

We'll plan to read it in April then.

Kristin wrote: "no :( I am hoping to fit in sometime this week but I will definitely read it by the end of the month."

You're helping me clean off my want to read shelf. :)

What date looks good? How about April 8th or 9th?

Wait, Requiem start on the 9th, so how about April 16th?

I'm going to try to dig up my book so I can divide up the reading.

Kristin wrote: "oh crap. I thought this started the 19th for some reason so I have to get a copy."

Don't worry, I think I originally put the wrong date down in the group. We can wait till the 19th. I'm not prepared either. I'll change the start date at the top of the post to the 19th.

I've been procrastinating on this one. The book has no chapter numbers. I hate that. Dividing up the read now and will post shortly. May take break in between to eat dinner, so if it looks undone when it's first posted that is why.

It does have chapters. When I sat down to do it earlier I swear it didn't.

I was wrong, there are chapter numbers. I don't know Why I thought it didn't. Maybe I picked up the wrong book before or maybe I'm losing my mind.

Date Chapters Pages
April 19 1 - 4 1 - 53
April 20 5 - 8 54 - 118
April 21 9 - 12 119 - 168
April 22 13 - 16 169 - 225
April 23 17 - 20 226 - 289
April 24 21 - 26 290 - 359
April 25 27 - end 360 - 410

Man, that's a gorgeous cover. I haven't read the first book so I won't be able to participate in "real time" chat here but I'm very intrigued to check both books out, since my library actually carries them.

Kristin wrote: "Any predictions for the book? I think there will be some romance with Hector."

You must have read my mind. That is what I was hoping for too. :)

Questions and Comments for Chapters 1 -4

1) Wow! So much happened in this section I don't know where to begin. So did this one start off where the last one ended? I don't recall if I read an ARC of the last book or bought it. I'll have to check my shelves. It's been over a year since I read it. She is once again being threatened.

2) What did you think about her being locked out of the castle? That was rather odd.

3) Any ideas who attacked her? Is it a disgruntled subject, someone within the Quorum that wishes to rise to power, or her enemy?

4) She was only out for three days, yet in that time someone took full advantage of that fact by raising taxes, executing a loyal soldier, and who knows what else. Would you trust the general? Why do you think Hector didn't vote? Do you think he worried Elisa wouldn't survive?

5) Doesn't sound like being a Queen is all that fun. You have a lot of power, but many wish to seize it and kill you. Plus, you have the weight of a kingdom on your shoulders and if something goes wrong they look to you. Plus, it looks like she'll have to marry again soon perhaps making an alliance.

6) Are you hooked yet. Did you read ahead. I managed to refrain from continuing, but I plan to read more tonight. :)

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Man, that's a gorgeous cover. I haven't read the first book so I won't be able to participate in "real time" chat here but I'm very intrigued to check both books out, since my library actually carr..."

I really liked the first book. Let us know what you think if you read the first one. You can always post her and maybe it will stir up my memories of the last book.

That would be nice. I'll do today's. Do you want to do tomorrow's? I got distracted today. Every time I sat down something or someone took me or my attention away.

Questions and Comments for Chapters 5 - 8

First off, let me say I was going to mention the mysterious Franco and forgot. Who the heck is he. Plus, why did she not investigate him further?

Secondly, the Godstone is a hard thing to grasp. Did you notice how the author is very careful not to name the God or get too detailed other than what she needs to tell in regards to the story. I think this is a smart way to handle a religious aspect to a story. That way she doesn't get any upset about which one she chose. Sometimes books and religion don't mix, but I so far I think it works in this one.

7)Did you think the Doctor's fascination with the Godstone a little too interested? I got a bad feeling about him. I guess a doctor would be quite fascinated due to its healing powers, but I don't know.

8) The passage way they found was pretty neat. I like how she wants to clear Martin's name.

9) "The gate lat leads to life is narrow and small so that few find it." Very curious. What does that mean? How does it relate to the story?

10) What do you think of the secret village at the end of the tunnel? Would you trust the leader? Do you think there is a connection to the original Lo Chasto?

11) Interesting the author picked the number 5 to be sacred, the number for holy perfection. Usually it's 3 or 7. 5 references to the word gate in the scriptures. So the gate, whatever it is, is important. I wonder what it is and where it goes and what it does?

12) When Mara doubled over I thought she'd been attacked. Then I thought perhaps the balm she was applying was poisoned or created not to let her heal. No I think it was used to show just how quickly Elisa heals. What do you think? Should she hire another attendant at this time? Would it be wise?

13) What do you think of Belen being in the castle? Would you trust him? Did she handle things correctly with Father Alentin? She got rather chilly with him.

14) Did you think Ximena was trying to put a thought in Elisa's head about Elisa marrying Hector or was she truly suggesting marrying him off? If what she suggested about Hector would he need to leave her side? I was a little confused how this would work and wasn't sure if it was a wise or unwise suggestion.

15) Was it a little odd how the Lord Conde Eduardo wanted Elisa to wear the crown? Could it be bugged? Do they have that kind of technology?

16) What did you think of the two suitors? Did you get the vibe Hector was a little jealous?

17) Thoughts on Lo Chato (aka Storm)? Charming, huh? Do you think he'll prove to be friend or foe? Didn't seem all that forthcoming with names.

18) So I wonder why the Inviernos want her alive? Do they plan to try to use the Godstone within her while it's in her? Any thoughts?

@Kristin
14) I sometimes get the feeling that Hector and Ximena don't get along. I think Ximena is trying to get rid of Hector because she thinks that Elisa is too close to him.

I truly wonder how trustworthy Ximena is? That was one of the first times I doubted her. I mean marrying him off to her sister would then isolate her from her sister possibly too. Can you imagine seeing your sister with the man you love? It would hurt and I think she does or will. I think there's something there.

16) The first suitor was weird but the 2nd one I actually liked. Though I think it is weird that she has all these men who want her attention. I think Hector has feelings for Elisa just waiting for them to come out!!! I don't think he will like the idea of her marrying off or him being married off to someone else.

I agree. I thought it odd Lord Conde Eduardo was hopeful for a alliance with him since he seemed like he had little interest in anything but hunting. Also, I thought she'd have more Suitors.

17) I don't know about him but I liked his character even though he wasn't charming. He seemed very mysterious to me and I am interested to learn more about him.

For me at this point he's like Belen, a wild card, but even more so. He didn't leave his country by choice, he did it to live. How loyal can he really be to the Queen?

Kristin wrote: "I didn't even consider her sister! I figured it would be somewhere else where they need an alliance but her sister would be awful.

I don't think Storm is loyal to the Queen but I am interested in..."

Oops! I read ahead this morning and forgot that suggestion wasn't mad till later.

Kristin wrote: "Well that explains where the sister came from! I am probably going to read ahead today too because I am finding this one a lot more enjoyable than the first one. You must be really far ahead becaus..."

I started reading and forgot to keep track of the page numbers and before I knew it I had read past where we were supposed to. Oops!

Answers to Questions for Chapters 9-12

19) Do you think Luz-Manuel is on at the attack of the Queen? There seems to be too many suspects and some of them very close to her.

He is one of my prime suspects. You're right. There are too many suspects. It could be anyone from an unhappy citizen, a Quorum leader hoping to take over, etc. I wish we knew the order of succession. I'm guessing the little Prince would reign, but who would be his guardian?

20) I think the Queen's idea of learning self defense is a very good one. But what is with the tension between Ximena and Hector? You would think they both want to work together so they can protect her. I am starting to second guess Ximena.

I thought Lena learned self defense in the last book. I thought she kicked some major butt, but maybe this is more advanced training? Yes, Ximena and Hector are having issues. I feel Hector is loyal, but I keep wondering about Ximena. Maybe she is jealous of Lena's growing affection for him? Maybe she likes being one of her closest advisers and feels threatened by him?

21) Conde Tristan says Elisa needs to research the Godstone more and implies the Gate is in Selvarica. Do you think him pursuing Elisa is a trick of some sort to get her to the gate?

I wondered the same thing. I would be questioning everyone. It sounds like a lot of bearers disappear and die young.

22) Poison!! Someone really wants to harm Elisa but who? one person wants to kill her and the other one wants to take her alive. What do you think of all these attempts on her life? I imagine it would be pretty nerve wrecking.

I know. It's awful. I'm surprised she's keeping herself together and not freak out. I'd be paranoid especially with all the secret passages.

23) What did you think of her decision to flog everyone? I thought it was a bit harsh. I know she needs to appear strong but to inflict punishment on innocent people just doesn't make her seem like a good person. Even though she somewhat defended them after their flogging.

I thought 10 lashes was a pretty harsh sentence. I'm not sure that was smart. I'm not really sure how else she could have punished them though.

24) I am somewhat confused on the zafira and what it is exactly other than it it is more magic and power and it sounds like the Inviernos needs Elisa alive in order to get the magic and power. Am I understanding it correctly?

I think that's right. We still need to learn more about what it is. I'm confused too.

25) Really Hector and Elisa can you just admit your feelings for each other already.

lol Isn't that the way with YA books? Actually that's the way I was when I was in high school too. I remember finding out a couple years later that a guy I liked liked me. If only we had known.

Kristin wrote: "Lena? You mean Elisa right?"

Yes, I finally wrote a review for Pandemonium and keep confusing the two. lol

Kristin wrote: "ummm I have a confession. I got so caught up in this book that I finished it :-X"

Ummm I confess, I finished this one too. lol I went to see how far I'd read this morning and got ensnared by it again. I'll write up some questions about it tomorrow, but what a cliffhanger ending. I wonder when the next book comes out?

Questions and comments for Chapters 13 to the end (because we are bad buddies, but luckily equally bad. lol)

26) So Conde Tristan's being gay was an interesting twist. Did you like how Elisa turned it to her advantage so she could explore? Do you think she should have trusted him?

27) Ximena turned out to have her own agenda, but I don't know why. I wonder if Elisa will need to worry about retaliation from her later?

28) "The afflatus says that magic crawls beneath the skin of this world and tat once in every four generations, God raises up a champion to bear his mark and fight magic with magic."

Was Elisa's relinquishment of the magic to save Storm a wise choice? Will it have repercussions later? Was she supposed to have powers to fight off something bigger than she can imagine?

29) I liked how Elisa was acting like the Queen she was after Hector was taken.

30) I was hoping after Elisa had been filled with the power she got from the Zafira that she'd be able to channel power better.

31) Without a Gatekeeper guarding the Zafira what will happen? Is it lost to everyone or easier to access? I was kind of confused by the ending and may need to read a little carefully. I think I rushed a bit.

32) So we learned a couple of interesting facts from Storm.

1) Some Inviernos are born with Godstones, but they fall out.
2) Inviernoses have been in the world longer than humans. I find that interesting.

33) What did you think about Hector not wanting a tryst but the whole shebang? What about Elisa's response that "And you will kiss me again. That and more. Count on it."? I loved her response.

Will add more as I think of them. Need to go pick up my son from school.